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Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal

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  • Prakash C Bhattarai
  • Milan Shrestha
  • Prakash Kumar Paudel

Abstract

This study introduces Multi-dimensional Disparity Index (MDI) to measure multi-form of disparity in different level of governments referencing Nepal. The measurement scale of MDI was developed by adopting Santos and Alkire’s (2011) approaches. A wide range of thematic experts was consulted, employing the Semi-Delphi approach to determine its dimensions and indicators. The MDI in this study includes six dimensions and 34 indicators composited with dimension-wise indices like Economy Disparity Index [ECODI], Educational Disparity Index [EDUDI], Health Disparity Index [HDI], Geography and Climatic Vulnerability Index [GCVI], Living Standard Disparity Index [LSDI], and Demography Disparity Index [DDI]. Overall, the study revealed the extent of multi-dimensional disparity across three tiers of government in Nepal. More specifically, Nepal scored 0.388 MDI value. Karnali and Bagmati provinces are accounted as the highest and least deprived. This study contributes essential knowledge, particularly in exploring the dimensions and their indicators and develops an approach to measure multi-dimensional disparities. Most existing approaches for assessing disparities are mono-dimensional and measure the disparities in a single aspect. In this context, MDI provides a broader approach to consider multiple dimensions and measures multiple aspects in a country like Nepal, where disparity manifests at multiple levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Prakash C Bhattarai & Milan Shrestha & Prakash Kumar Paudel, 2023. "Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0286216
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alkire, Sabina & Foster, James & Seth, Suman & Santos, Maria Emma & Roche, Jose Manuel & Ballon, Paola, 2015. "Multidimensional Poverty Measurement and Analysis," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199689491, Decembrie.
    2. Srinivas Goli & Nagendra Kumar Maurya & Moradhvaj & Prem Bhandari, 2019. "Regional Differentials in Multidimensional Poverty in Nepal: Rethinking Dimensions and Method of Computation," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440198, March.
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    4. Shaleen Khanal, 2018. "Gender Discrimination in Education Expenditure in Nepal: Evidence from Living Standards Surveys," Asian Development Review, MIT Press, vol. 35(1), pages 155-174, March.
    5. Simon Wigley & Arzu Akkoyunlu-Wigley, 2006. "Human Capabilities Versus Human Capital: Guaging the Value of Education in Developing Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(2), pages 287-304, September.
    6. Itishree Pradhan & Binayak Kandapan & Jalandhar Pradhan, 2022. "Uneven burden of multidimensional poverty in India: A caste based analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(7), pages 1-18, July.
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    8. Alkire, Sabina & Santos, Maria Emma, 2014. "Measuring Acute Poverty in the Developing World: Robustness and Scope of the Multidimensional Poverty Index," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 251-274.
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